Niger’s military-led government has announced plans to nationalise the Somair uranium mine, a major facility long operated by French nuclear company Orano, marking a dramatic escalation in the country’s break from its former colonial ruler.
The move, confirmed Thursday, comes amid worsening diplomatic ties between Niger and France following the 2023 military coup that brought a new government to power. Authorities say the decision to reclaim full control of Somair is driven by decades of perceived exploitation and a desire to reclaim national sovereignty over Niger’s valuable natural resources.
“For too long, Niger has ceded control of its uranium wealth with little to show for it,” the junta said in a statement. “Faced with the irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano, a company owned by the French state… the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair.”
At the heart of the dispute lies a long-simmering debate over uranium profits. Although Orano holds a 63% stake in Somair, with Niger’s state-owned Sopamin holding the remainder, Nigerien officials argue that Orano has taken an outsized share of the mine’s output over the decades. Between 1971 and 2024, authorities claim Orano walked away with 86.3% of the site’s uranium production.
Orano, which is 90% owned by the French government, pushed back forcefully. On Friday, the company accused Niger of conducting a “systematic policy of stripping mining assets,” and said it would pursue legal action to recover damages and assert its rights to existing stockpiles.
This isn’t the first time the Nigerien military government has moved against French interests. Since seizing power in July 2023, the junta has gradually dismantled France’s strategic influence, including military partnerships and economic agreements. The uranium sector has been a prime target.
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In 2024, Niger stripped Orano of operational control over its three major mining sites — Somair, Cominak, and Imouraren — the latter holding one of the largest untapped uranium reserves in the world. That shake-up signaled a broader realignment, as Niger began courting new partnerships, notably with Russia.
The Somair nationalisation adds another chapter to this unfolding realignment, and echoes similar actions across West Africa. In both Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also under military rule, governments have launched efforts to reclaim control of natural resources from foreign firms, especially those linked to France.
Orano has already signaled it won’t step aside quietly. The company said it plans to seek compensation through international arbitration and emphasized its long-standing presence in Niger — dating back 50 years. Last month, it filed a lawsuit after its local offices were raided and its director went missing, underscoring the deteriorating environment for French companies in the country.
As tensions rise, many are watching closely to see how Niger’s decision might ripple across global uranium markets and foreign investment in the region. Niger is one of the world’s top uranium producers, and disruptions could affect global nuclear energy supply chains.
Niger’s move signals a growing assertiveness among West African nations seeking to reclaim control of their natural resources, often under populist or military-led governments that see foreign firms as vestiges of colonial-era exploitation.
